The 49ers inactives against the Broncos DE Nick Bosa CB Ephesians Prysock LB Tatum Bethune DT James Thompson Jr. RB Jordan James QB Kurtis Rourke OT Enrique Cruz Jr.

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PositiveInjurySep 27, 2026Coach Yac 🗣

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49ers inactives against the Cardinals: DE Romello Height (hand) DE Nick Bosa (calf) DT James Thompson (ankle) LB Tatum Bethune CB Ephesians Prysock OT Enrique Cruz QB Kurtis Rourke

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NegativeRoleSep 24, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

49ers GM John Lynch expressed excitement about Kurtis Rourke as a third quarterback option in the team's quarterback room, stating 'we're really excited about with Kurtis Rourke.' However, Lynch noted that Rourke 'lacks' the prior experience that the 49ers typically seek in backup quarterbacks, which may be a driving factor in Lynch's reluctance to trade away Mac Jones despite recent quarterback injuries around the league.

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NegativeRoleSep 24, 2026Niners Nation

Kurtis Rourke, the 49ers' third-string QB, lacks the experience that Lynch prioritizes in backup quarterbacks. This inexperience is cited as a potential driving factor for Lynch's reluctance to trade away Mac Jones, suggesting Rourke is not yet viewed as a reliable insurance option should the starter go down.

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PositiveRoleSep 24, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

49ers GM John Lynch expressed enthusiasm about Kurtis Rourke as part of the team's quarterback depth strategy, saying "we're really excited about" him. Lynch positioned Rourke as the third option in a strong QB room alongside franchise quarterback Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, comparing the depth structure to Bill Walsh's historical approach with Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Steve Bono.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke, listed as emergency third quarterback, is inactive for Week 2 against Miami Dolphins.

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PositiveNewsSep 20, 2026Coach Yac 🗣

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The 49ers inactives against the Dolphins: LB Tatum Bethune CB Ephesians Prysock WR Jordan Watkins OL Enrique Cruz Jr. QB Kurtis Rourke

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kurtis Rourke is inactive for the 49ers' Week 2 game against the Dolphins.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 10, 2026Niners Nation

Kurtis Rouke, a rookie quarterback on a rookie contract, is inactive for the 49ers vs. Rams, indicating he was not drafted to contribute in 2026.

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PositiveSleeperSep 3, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Curtis Rourke is a quarterback the organization is very excited about; despite a camp injury, he is a player to monitor as a deep-roster stash.

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NegativeRoleSep 3, 2026Footballguys

Rourke played on a torn ACL as Kurt Cignetti's first starter at Indiana and led the rival. The 49ers took him as a redshirt option. Waldman notes that Mac Jones will likely be traded by midseason, and if the 49ers fall apart due to injury history among older players, Rourke could find himself in cleanup duty or starting if Brock Purdy gets hurt. Waldman recommends Rourke as a good taxi squad option in dynasty formats and a second-half emergency QB this year.

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PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke is rookie-year Purdy in terms of development trajectory; the team's decision to keep him rather than lose him on waivers shows foresight into what he means to the team down the line.

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PositiveInjuryAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke returns to practice for the first time in over a month, clearing his injury and rejoining team activities.

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PositiveInjuryAug 31, 2026Niners Nation

Returns to practice for the first time in over a month, indicating recovery from extended absence and potential availability for upcoming games.

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NegativeInjuryAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke is on the initial 53-man roster with a ribs designation; head coach Kyle Shanahan noted he could return to practice this week.

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NegativeInjuryAug 31, 2026Niners Nation

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is on the 53-man roster with a rib injury; head coach Kyle Shanahan noted he could return to practice this week.

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PositiveRoleAug 31, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Seventh-round pick in 2025 who showed enough in one impressive half of preseason football to earn the backup quarterback role behind Brock Purdy; broke three ribs in his lone preseason appearance but is expected to return to practice this week, positioning him as Purdy's backup next season when Mac Jones is likely to pursue starting opportunities elsewhere.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke was healthy enough to make the 49ers' 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback, answering the question of whether he would be stashed on Injured Reserve or active.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 30, 2026Niners Nation

Rourke was healthy enough to make the 49ers' 53-man roster rather than being stashed on Injured Reserve, securing a spot as the third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.

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NegativeInjuryAug 30, 2026Niners Nation

49ers could place QB Kurtis Rourke on the Injured Reserve list as part of roster moves. Placing him on IR allows the team to keep him without wasting a roster spot and potentially designate him to return later.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke won the 49ers' No. 3 quarterback job despite missing the final two preseason games with fractured ribs. He started the first preseason game, completing 12-of-14 passes for 101 yards and rushing for 14 yards on three carries before breaking three ribs and being hospitalized. The source reports he is expected to return to practice this week, securing his roster spot ahead of Adrian Martinez.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Niners Nation

Promoted to the 49ers' No. 3 QB role after an impressive preseason start (12 of 14, 101 yards as starter in the first game), beating out Adrian Martinez for the roster spot. The 2025 seventh-round pick missed his entire rookie year recovering from a torn ACL sustained in his final college game at Indiana but has now earned the emergency QB role on game days. His strong preseason performance also positions him as a future backup candidate once Mac Jones's deal expires next offseason, giving him a clear path to increased responsibility.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Seventh-round pick Kurtis Rourke, who missed his entire rookie year recovering from a torn ACL sustained in the final game of his collegiate career at Indiana, has won the No. 3 quarterback competition and will make the 49ers' 53-man roster as the team's third quarterback and emergency quarterback on game days. Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards as the starter in the 49ers' first preseason game, a solid outing that was a long shot to make the 53-man roster after a solid offseason and initial preseason outing. His impressive preseason start paves the path for him to eventually be the 49ers backup once Mac Jones's deal expires next offseason.

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PositiveNewsAug 29, 2026Coach Yac 🗣

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Kurtis Rourke will be QB3 for the 49ers [Quoted](

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Niners Nation

Kurtis Rourke is listed as one of five potential IR-return designations (alongside Brett Toth, Ephesians Prysock, Nick Martin, and Luke Gifford) that could create roster flexibility for the 49ers during roster construction.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 29, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke is listed as one of five potential roster spots that could be created via injured reserve, alongside Toth, Prysock, Martin, and Gifford.

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PositiveProjectionAug 28, 2026Niners Nation

Kurtis Rourke played only one preseason game due to injury but demonstrated quality backup potential in limited action: he dropped back 16 times, completed 50% of his passes for first downs, completed all four passes beyond 10 yards (including a beautiful 32-yard strike to Stribling on third down), handled pressure well, and avoided a sack. The source characterizes him as closer to Mac Jones than Adrian Martinez in playing style and believes he's the type of aggressive decision-maker Kyle Shanahan wants at the position. The source would not consider losing him to waivers.

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PositiveProjectionAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Played only one preseason game but showed quality backup potential; completed 50% of his passes for first downs, was selectively aggressive, completed all four passes beyond 10 yards including a 32-yard strike to Stribling on third down, handled pressure well, and avoided a sack—demonstrating the type of aggressive decision-making Kyle Shanahan wants at the position.

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NegativeInjuryAug 28, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kurtis Rourke is dealing with broken ribs, which is why backup Adrian Martinez needs to stay ready.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 27, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kurtis Rourke won't play in the preseason finale but will remain on the 49ers roster. The team can place him on short-term Injured Reserve if needed to create roster flexibility, but he is not going anywhere.

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NegativeRoleAug 27, 2026Niners Nation

Kurtis Rourke won't play in the preseason finale. The 49ers will keep three quarterbacks on the roster and can place Rourke on short-term Injured Reserve if needed, but he isn't going anywhere.

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NegativeInjuryAug 27, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke is dealing with a rib injury and could be close to returning to practice, though his timeline is less certain than Evans, Bola, Cowing, and Stout.

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NegativeInjuryAug 26, 2026Niners Nation

Rourke suffered three broken ribs and won't play in Thursday's preseason finale; he will miss the preseason finale but is expected to return to practice the following weekend according to Shanahan. The injury is less severe than the one Jordan James suffered.

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NegativeInjuryAug 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Rourke won't play in the preseason finale as he recovers from a rib injury. Shanahan said Rourke's injury wasn't as bad as the one Jordan James suffered. Rourke had three broken ribs and will miss the preseason finale but will return to practice the following weekend.

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NegativeInjuryAug 25, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffered three broken ribs, sidelining him from practice.

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